Holder for writing paraphernalia



May 28, 1940. E. R. POSNACK HOLDER FDR WRITING PARAPHERNALiA Filed March 21, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEIILITOR @MAJQ/{Mm May 28, 1940. E. R. POSNACK HOLDER FDR WRITING PARAPHERNALIA 2 Sheet-Sheet 2 Filed llarch 21, 1939 INVENTOR WQM Patented May 28. 1940 PATENT. OFFICE HOLDER FOR WRITING PARAPHERNALIA Emanuel R. Posnack, New York, N. Y. Application March 21, 1939, Serial No. 263,105

16 Claims.

This invention relates to holders for writin paraphernalia and the like, such as paper pads. cards, letters, pens and pencils, and particularly to devices of this category in the form of stands adapted .for convenient placement upon desks and tables.

Although there are many desk appliances for holding various writing appurtenances, they are generally not provided with means, forming part of a simple and unitary structure, adapted to conveniently receive and releasably retain therein a considerable quantity of desk. paraphernalia and at the same time present-a readily accessible and convenient writing surface for note taking. It is hence primarily within the contemplation of this invention to provide just such a device, of presentable and ornamental appearance, economical to fabricate, and capable of quickly and readily receiving, and retaining in accessible positions, a pad of writing paper, pens, pencils, scrap paper such as those containing notes thereon, envelopes, cards and thelike.

Most commonly used pad holders are either of the flat type where the writing surface of the exposed sheet is unobstructed but where the detachment of each sheet must be effected by tear ing it off the holder,or of the loose sheet type where a pad of unattached sheets is positioned in a receptacle provided with peripheral retaining walls. In this latter type of holder, the lateral peripheral walls thereof, in order to serve as retaining members, must be of greater height than the thickness of the pad, and consequently constitute obstructions and encumbrances to convenient note-taking on the pad; and furthermore, the said walls make it diflicult to reach the edge of the top sheet, and particularly of an underlying sheet, for its removal from the holder. It is also to overcome these shortcomings that I seek to accomplish with my invention, an objective which I attain by combining the advantages of both of the aforesaid types of holders, and eliminating their disadvantages. And in this aspect of my invention, it is an object to provide sheets. And in this aspect of my invention it is another object toeifect an adjustment of the yieldable pressure applied to the pad.

It is also an object of this invention to enable pads of various widths to be readily accommodated for immediate use.

Other objects, features and advantages will appear from the drawings and the description hereinafter given.

Referring to the drawings,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred form of my invention, a pad and certain writing paraphernalia being shown held therein.

Figure 2 is a rear view of a form of my invention similar to that of Figure 1, illustrating a pressure-adjusting arrangement and showing, in dot-dash lines, a position of the pants adapted for applying a comparatively reduced pressure upon a pad.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary side view of the device of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective of a somewhat modified form of my invention.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a modification of my invention.

Figure dis a fragmentary section of Figure 5 taken substantially along line 6-45, and

Figure 7 is another modification of my invention, a pencil being shown retained in place.

As shown in the drawings, and particularly Figures 1 to 3 thereof, the main elements con-' stituting my holder are a base Ill, preferably although not necessarily with an inclined upper surface, and resilient clamping means comprising an upright or supporting member II suitably joined to the base and a clamp member or holding element I2 suitably attached to the said upright- In the particular form illustrated the members I I and I2 are shown connected by rivets I3, although they can, within the contemplation V material in sheet or wire form, although my invention could also be operative with only one of such members resilient, as will become evident' from the description hereinafter given.

In the specific embodiment of my invention disclosed in the drawings, the members II and I2 contain curled portions it, I! and I8, the portions I6 and IT at the upper regions of said members being of spiral formation terminating in coiled loops I9 and 20. The spiral-like portions I6 and I! are so rolled as .to provide spaces 2| and 22, respectively, between the curved walls thereof and the adjacent portion of the upright II, as well as space 23 between the spiral-like portion I6 and the adjacent uncurled portion of the member I2,-these spaces being of gradually decreasing proportions to enable them to receive papers and the like therein for frictional engagement with the walls thereof, as will hereinafter appear. The loops I9 and 20 are preferably off-center within their respective spiral formations, and these together with loop I8 are pro: portioned to receive therein pens and pencils, as indicated in Figure 1.

The thickness of the base I0 and the relative proportions and positions of members II and I2 with respect to each other are such that when the said three main parts are assembled together, the lowermost portion 24 of the pad holder I2 will be adapted for pressing engagement with a pad, such as 25, positioned upon the base I0, thereby exerting a yieldable pressure thereagainst. In accordance with the preferred design of the member I2, the said lower portion 24 thereof is of comparatively fiat configuration, thereby presenting not only an extended undersurface for engagement with the pad, but also an equally extended upper surface for accommodating paper or other appurtenances thereon. It is also preferred that the parts he so proportioned that portion 24 is engageable with the base proper, thereby being effective as a pad holder regardless of the thickness of the pad,-even up to the last sheet. For best results members II and I2 should both be of resilient properties; but if cost, manufacturing or design requirements demand it, one of said members may be relatively rigid inasmuch as the assembled unit of both members will constitute a resilient construction even if only one of said members is of substantial resilient properties.

It will be noted that in the preferred form of my invention illustrated, the rear wall I4 of the base is inclined upwardly and forwardly, thereby serving a two-fold purpose, that of maintaining the rearwardly curved upright I I in a substantially vertical position, and also that of causing the contacting portion 24 of member I2 to be more forwardly disposed and hence exert greater pressure against the base than would be the case if the wall I4 were of less inclination. The illustrated embodiment of my invention also shows the spirals I6 and I! as being rolled in opposite directions, thereby keeping papers operatively positioned in spaces 2| and 22 from interfering with each other, and also allowing the rear side of the device to be effectively utilized. It is understood, however, that the spiral I9 can also be forwardly disposed, or can be entirely eliminated, all within the scope of this invention.

By referring to Figure 1, it will be readily seen that the device of my invention has both utilitarian and aesthetic features. The pad 25 is conveniently located on the base I0, and is held yieldably clamped thereagainst by the lower portion of member I2. The entire pad is unobstructed, and conveniently and readily accessible for writing. To remove the top sheet, all that need be done is to withdraw it by a quick and sharp motion; and in the same manner can any intermediate sheet be withdrawn. In neither case need any of the other sheets in the pad be disturbed, inasmuch as the member I2 is constant- 1y exerting a downward pressure thereagainst; and it is of course obvious that every withdrawn sheet is intact and unmutilated.

A removed sheet, such as 26, containing any' notes thereon needed for ready reference, can be easily and quickly-inserted in space 2| and releasably held at the rear of the device until needed; or it can be inserted in spaces 22, 23 or 21, as are the sheets 28 and 29. It is also apparent that letters, envelopes, cards and other papers can be similarly conveniently accommodated. A number of business cards, or a calendar, can be inserted in the region of the sheet 29; and a number of sheets can likewise simultaneously be inserted within each of the spaces 2|, 22 and 23,-especially when the walls forming such spaces are of resilient construction.

And it will also be noted that writing implements like the pen and pencil 30 and 3| can be conveniently held in the loops I8, I9 and 20,-or may also be positioned upon the upper surface of portion 24 of the member I2, or within the space 32 formed by the base I0 and two members I I and I2.

In Figures 2 and 3 is shown an adjustable arrangement for varying the effective pressure exerted by clamp member I2. The upright II is provided at the lower region thereof with vertically disposed slots 33 through which extend the shanks of the screws I5, By loosening these screws, the upright II can be raised and lowered, within the limits of the slots, to cause a corresponding movement of the member I2. If the members are raised, the lower portion 24 of member I2 will be moved substantially to the position indicated by dot-dash lines, where it obviously will exert less pressure against the pad than when in the full line position; and of course a reverse movement will increase the pressure.

It is apparent that this device is not limited to any one size of pad, as pads of either greater or lesser widths than the width of member I2 can be readily accommodated for immediate use. Where, however, it is desired to limit the width of the pad to be employed, the modification of Figure 4 can be used. In this figure, the lateral sides of the base Illa are shown provided with strips 34 which extend upwardly for at least the distance of uppermost level of the pad tobe employed. These strips serve to hold the loose sheets in the pad against lateral movement, cooperating with the base and member I2a for holding the pad in place, and not interfering in the slightest with the effectiveness of the device for its intended purposes.

In the modification shown in Figure 5, the base 35 and the upright or supporting member 36 are integral with each other, forming a single unitary member. The resilient clamp member 31 is attached to and supported by the member 36 through the medium of prong means, preferably in the form of prong elements 38 extending forwardly from the member 36 through the apertures 39 in the clamp member 31. It is apparent that the prongs 38 can be easily pressed out of the body of-the upright, and can be so proportioned as to be readily insertable through said holes 39. Inasmuch as the lower portion Ii of member 31 is in yieldable engagement with the base, it-will be constantly urged upwardly will be in abutting engagement with the underside of the corresponding prong element 38. It is preferred that wall 36 be forwardly inclined, so that the clamp member 31 will be yieldably urged thereagainst, as well as against the prongs 38 as aforesaid. Obviously the lip 42, being downwardly directed, will serve to hold the clamp3'l from being displaced out of its operative position.

With the above-described construction, it is apparent that spot-welding or riveting can be dispensed with, inasmuch as clamp member 31 can be readily assembled upon the supporting member 36 by merely pressing it over the said prong elements and into the position illustrated in Figures 5 and 6. Due toits resiliency, the member 31 can be compressed or contracted during the assembling operation, if necessary, to enable this operation to be mode readily efiected. And once the parts are assembled, they will be firmly held together due to the constant stress the resilient member 31 is subjected to because of it yieldable engagement with base 35. It is of course understood that instead of having the prong elements integral with the supporting member 36, they can obviously be a part of clamp element 31 and extending rearwardly through suitable apertures in the supporting member,- all within the obvious scope of this invention.

It is preferred, in this modification of my invention, that the supporting member 36 be of substantially stifi and non-resilient construction, so that the combination of supporting member 36 and the base 35 can be readily stamped out of a single sheet of metal of uniform properties. The non-resiliency of supporting member 36 will not adversely affect the utility of this device, inasmuch as the resiliency of member 31 will enable papers to be readily slipped into the space 43 between the coiled portion 44 of member 31 and the upright wall of member 36 adjacent thereto. In other respects, the device of Figure 5 is similar in function and operation to that of Figure l, in that pencils or other writing paraphernalia can be inserted within the looped portions 45 and 46, and a suitable pad can be inserted'below the lower coil 41. It will also be observed that the juncture of members 35 and 36 comprises the depressed portion 48 which serves a twofold purpose, in thatit is adapted to receive therein a pencil'or other suitable writing implement, and it serves the further purpose of elevating the rear portion of the device so as to impart an inclination to the base suitable for convenient writing purposes.

Figure 7 illustrates a modification substantially similar to the structure of Figure 6, except that instead of a continuous sheet metal clamp memher, two spring wires 49 are employed, these being suitably attached to the supporting member 56 at regions 5|. The upper coils 52 of these wires contain the looped portions 53 therein for supporting a pencil 54. The said resilient wires 49 are also adapted to receive and frictionally hold therein papers inserted Within the .spaces 55 tion.

Not only do the several devices of my invention enable its various objectives to be readily attained, but they are also so constructed as to enable them to be easily and economically fabri cated from a few sheet-metal stampings, wire or other inexpensive and ornamental materials. I

And in addition to being useful and capable of economical manufacture, they are all of such presentable appearance as to render any of them of aesthetic and ornamental value on a desk or table either at home or in an offlce.

It is of course understood that the various embodiments above-described and shown in the drawings are illustrative of my invention and not employed by way of limitation, inasmuch as numerous changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of this inven- What I claim is:

1. A holder of the character described compris ing a base adapted to accommodate thereon a pad, and yieldable clamping means supported by the base and associated with the rear portion thereof, said clamping means being adapted for pressing engagement with the rear portion of the strip of sheet material having a curled portion remote from and in spaced relation to the base and of substantially spiral formation adapted to retain therein a pencil or similar writing implement, said curled portion extending transversely with respect to the base and being so rolled as to provide a space of gradually decreasing proportions between the spiral-like portionthereof and the adjacent wall of the, strip for accommodating and frictionally retaining therein sheets of paper.

2. In a holder of the character described, a base adapted to accommodate thereon a pad, an upwardly extending supporting member joined to the base, and a clamping member carried by the supporting member and adapted for pressing engagement'with the rear portion of said pad, at least one of said members being of resilient properties whereby the pad will be yieldably and fric' tionally held in place between the clamping place, the upper portion of the clamping member terminating in a substantially spiral-like portion adapted to retain' therein a pencil or other similar writing implement, the supporting member having a portion thereof disposed adjacent the said spiral-like portion of the clamping member and gradually receding therefrom to form a space for accommodating one or more sheets of paper.

4.A holder of the character described containing the combination according to claim 3, the supporting member having a spiral-like portion remote from the spiral-like portion of the clamping member and being rolled against itself to frictionallyaccommodatesheets of paper between adjacent walls thereof, the entire upper surface of the base being substantially fiat and unobstructed by either of the said "members e cept at the said rear portion thereof.

5. A holder of the character described comprising a base adapted to accommodate thereon a pad, a supporting member associated with and extending upwardly from the rear portion of the base, and a clamping member secured to said supporting member and having a forwardly extending portion engageable with the rear portion of the base and the said pad thereon, at least one of said members being of yieldable construction whereby the pad will be yieldably and frictionally held in place between the clamping member and the base, the lower portions of said clamping and supporting members being in spaced relation and cooperating with the adjacent portion of the base to form therebetween an opening for accommodating a pencil or similar wn'ting implement, the entire upper surface of the base being substantially flat and unobstructed by either of the said members except at the said rear portion thereof.

6. A holder of the character described comprising a base adapted to accommodate thereon a pad, a supporting member joined to and extending upwardly from the rear portion of the base, and a clamping member secured to said supporting member and having a forwardly extending portion engageable with the rear portion of the base and the said pad thereon, at least one of said members being of resilient properties whereby the pad will be yieldably and frictionally held in place between the clamping member and the base, both members containing spiral-like formations remote from. each other, each being rolled upon itself to frictionally accommodate sheets of paper between adjacent walls thereof.

7.A holder of the character described containing the combination according to claim 6, each of said spiral-like formations terminating in an internal coiled loop proportioned to accommodate therein a pencil or similar implement, whereby such implements will be retained in place out of engagement with any sheets of paper that are operatively held by this device.

8. A holder of the character described containing the combination according to claim 6, the said spiral-like formations being oppositely disposed, whereby sheets of paper operatively held by one of said formations will be remote from and out of engagement with sheets held by the other formation.

9. A holder of the character described containing the combination according to claim 6, both of said members being formed of continuous strips of resilient sheet material.

10. A holder of the character described comprising a base adapted to accommodate thereon a pad, a supporting member joined to and extending upwardly from the rear portion of the base, and a clamping member secured to said supporting member and comprising a lower forwardly extending portion engageable with the rear portion of the base and the said pad thereon, and an upper portion joined to said supporting member, the forwardly extending portion being of extended proportions and upwardly curved whereby it is adapted to operatively accommodate writing paraphernalia thereon, at least one of said members being of resilient properties, the relative positions and proportions of said members and the base being such as to cause the said lower portion of the clamping member to be in yieldable engagement with the base, the said upper portion of the clamping member and the upper portion of the supporting member being adjacent each other for accommodating therebetween sheets of paper. 1

11. A holder of the character described comprising a base adapted to accommodate thereon a pad, a supporting member, adjustable fastening means operatively associated with the base for permitting a vertical adjustment of said member with respect to the base, and a clamping member secured to said supporting member and having a forwardly extending portion engageable with the rear portion of the base and the said pad thereon, at least one of said members being of resilient properties whereby the pad will be yieldably and frictionally held in place between the clamping member and the base.

12. A holder of the character described comprising a base adapted to accommodate thereon a pad, a supporting wall integral with and extending upwardly from the rear of the base, and a yieldable holding element supported by the supporting wall and engageable with the rear portion of the base and the said pad thereon, the juncture between the said wall and the said holding element forming a recess for accommodating writing paraphernalia.

13. A holder of the character described according to claim 12, the juncture of the base and the supporting wall being depressed whereby a space is provided to accommodate a writing implement and whereby an inclination is imparted to the base when the depressed portion and the forward portion of the base are positioned upon a sup porting surface.

- 14. A holder of the character described according to claim 12, the supporting wall being for- Wardly inclined, the holding element being detachably connected to said wall.

15. A holder of the character described comprising a base adapted to accommodate thereon a pad, a supporting member joined to and extending upwardly from the base, a clamping member carried by the supporting member and adapted for pressing engagement with the rear portion of the base and the said pad thereon, and means for deta'chably securing said members together, said means comprising prong elements extending from. one of said members and in engagement with the other member, at least one of said members being of resilient properties whereby the pad will be yieldably and frictionally held in place between the clamping member and the base and the clamping member yieldably urged upwardly.

16. A holder of the character described comprising a base adapted to accommodate thereon a pad,.a supporting member joined to and extending upwardly from the base, and clamping means comprising a plurality of resilient wires carried bythe supporting member and adapted for pressing engagement with the rear portion- EMANUEL R. POSNACK. 

